Deuteronomy 19:11

11 "But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and attacks him 1and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities,

Deuteronomy 19:11 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:11

But if any man hate his neighbour
Has conceived enmity in his heart against him, bears him a mortal hatred, and has formed a scheme in his mind to take away his life:

and lie in wait for him
knowing and expecting he will come by in such a way at such a time:

and rise up against him;
out of the place where he lay in wait, just at the time he is passing by:

and smite him mortally that he die;
or smite him

in soul or life
F26; in such a part where life is in danger, and the consequence of it is that he dies:

and fleeth into one of these cities;
for shelter from the avenger of blood.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (vpn) , "anima", Montanus, Vatablus.

Deuteronomy 19:11 In-Context

9 provided you are careful to keep all this commandment, which I command you today, by loving the LORD your God and by walking ever in his ways--then you shall add three other cities to these three,
10 lest innocent blood be shed in your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, and so the guilt of bloodshed be upon you.
11 "But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and attacks him and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities,
12 then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there, and hand him over to the avenger of blood, so that he may die.
13 Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, so that it may be well with you.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Deuteronomy 27:24; Exodus 21:12, 14; See Numbers 35:16-21
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.